See hundreds of tundra swans

Pure white tundra swans are making their annual spring migration through Utah right now. You can celebrate their return at two events hosted by the Division of Wildlife Resources in northern Utah this March.

Tundra Swan Day: March 4 and 11

This year, you'll have two opportunities to view tundra swans as the DWR hosts its Sixth Annual Tundra Swan Day. Tundra Swan Day will be held on two different Saturdays this year.

March 4

Tundra swans

On March 4, Tundra Swan Day activities will be held at the Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area (WMA) west of Centerville.

DWR biologists and volunteer naturalists will be available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with spotting scopes and parabolic dishes people can use to both see and listen to swans. Admission is free.

Naturalists will also conduct "behind the gates" van tours for anyone who would like to visit parts of the WMA that are normally closed this time of the year. The van tours are free.

For more information, call the DWR's Northern Region office at (801) 476-2740.

March 11

The following Saturday, March 11, Tundra Swan Day activities will be held at the Salt Creek WMA west of Corinne.

DWR biologists and volunteer naturalists will be at the WMA from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with spotting scopes and parabolic dishes people can use to both see and listen to swans. Admission is free.

Wasatch Audubon Chapter volunteers will be among those assisting visitors at the Salt Creek WMA.

For more information, call the DWR's Northern Region office at (801) 476-2740.

Moonlight Walk in the Marsh: March 14

In addition to the March 4 and 11 activities, the DWR will team up with the Wild Bird Center of Layton for a "Moonlight Walk in the Marsh" on March 14 to listen to swans and other waterfowl.

The activity will take place at the Farmington Bay WMA. Admission is free. Those interested in attending should meet at 6 p.m. at the Wild Bird Center located at The Layton Market Center,1860 N. 1000 W. in Layton.

You can also visit the WMA at 5 p.m., where DWR naturalists will conduct some bird viewing before the tour begins later that evening.

For more information, call the Wild Bird Center at (801) 525-8400.

Watching and listening to swans on your own

If you can't attend either event, great opportunities are available to watch and listen to swans on your own.

One of the best viewing opportunities is at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, where you can view swans from your car as you drive along the refuge's 12-mile auto tour loop.

Phil Douglass, DWR Northern Region conservation outreach manager, says he heard large numbers of swans feeding at the Ogden Bay WMA on the evening of Feb. 20. He also said that students touring the Farmington Bay WMA on Feb. 21 were thrilled to see and hear tundra swans at the WMA that day.

In addition to the Swan Day locations, he says the Ogden Bay WMA parking areas at 5500 W. in Hooper (on the dead end just north of 4000 S.), and 7500 W., about one mile south of SR-39 (12th Street) in West Warren, are two great places to listen to the "swan song" this spring.

Douglass says the swan migration will peak within the next three weeks.